It was the grandest funeral ever, and the most elaborate royal event we've seen so far in living memory. Truly, a splendid send-off party for the most revered British Queen, and the longest reigning monarch in modern history.
For all of us who have not watched an elaborate royal funeral laden with pomp and pageantry, the state funeral and committal service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, yesterday, September 19, left us in total amazement. Â
It was a day of emotion, pomp, and royal spectacle as the world bids goodbye to the much revered British Queen, the longest reigning monarch in modern history.
Details of the three processions and the military parade, including the church service, were so astounding it felt like we were watching some historical film in theaters. It was full of regal details, elaborate presentation, and ancient regalia.Â
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| Inside Westminster Abbey during the service |
But the church ceremony was poignant and moving. The service at Westminster Abbey was solemn, that at one point, made us shed tears, especially when the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, delivered a sermon, praising the Queen's extraordinary dedication to public service:Â
"People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer. But in all cases, those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are long forgotten" - Archbishop of Canterbury
On the opposite side of the Royal Family, seated the reigning and non-reigning royals of Europe, and other members of foreign royals.Â
Sarah, Duchess of York, the ex-wife of the Queen's second son, Prince Andrew, attended the funeral and was treated as a non-working member of the Royal Family.Â
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| procession inside Westminster Abbey |
She sat next to her daughter, Princess Eugenie in the second row, at the back of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and next to the Queen's nephew, David Armstrong-Jones, the 2nd Earl of Snowdon.
The entire proceedings were surreal! And laden with royal tradition, pomp and pageantry, something that we have not seen in recent memory.
The Historic Funeral
The Queen's state funeral saw the gathering of the most popular world leaders such as US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
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| US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden |
All the living Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom who had served Her Majesty attended the church service, accompanied by their respective spouses: Tony Blair, John Major, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May, and Boris Johnson. They walked together inside the church all the way to their seats.Â
Incumbent British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, and her husband walked separately. They were ushered next to the past Prime Ministers.
During her reign, the Queen had 14 Prime Ministers, Liz Truss is her 15th prime minister, and whose appointment she was able to confirm, two days before she died in Balmoral estate.
It was also the first funeral of a reigning British sovereign in 70 years. And the first funeral of a British monarch at Westminster Abbey in over 200 years.
The last British monarch whose funeral was held at Westminster Abbey was King George II in 1760. All the funeral services of the monarchs succeeding him were held at St. George's Chapel in Windsor.
Making the Queen the first monarch from the House of Windsor whose funeral was held at Westminster Abbey. The Abbey alone brought so many special memories to the Queen. It was there that she wed Prince Philip in 1947, and had her coronation as British Queen in June 1953.
The Pallbearers
The Queen's coffin was held by military personnel from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. The Queen was the company commander of the Grenadier Guards.
The Grenadier Guards also guarded the Queen's coffin during lying in state at Westminster Hall. Twelve of their soldiers were selected to provide the bearer party at the funeral.
The Grenadier Guards is the most senior of the Foot Guards regiments and has been associated with the monarchy since its establishment in 1656.
The Queen's Company will retain its name up until the monarch is laid to rest, and will later change to reflect the new king.
Former British Army soldier, Major Adrian Weale said. "It's their role to protect her body, both in life and in death, remaining the Queen's Company until King Charles decides otherwise".
Grenadier Guards' duties will then be transitioned to the next monarch, King Charles III.
The grandest military parade
As the Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces, the Queen's funeral procession was highlighted by a grand military parade, which the public had not seen in decades.Â
The procession included detachments from the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth, as well as detachments of the British Armed Forces and musicians.
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| The procession from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey |
It also included members of the Queen's Household and Clarence Household staff, those who have dedicated their lives to the service of the Queen.
According to the British Armed Forces and Buckingham Palace, these are the number of military personnel who participated in the state funeral of the Queen:
- 4,000 military personnel participated in the parade
- 3,000 in LondonÂ
- 1,000 in Windsor for the committal service in St. George's Chapel
- 2,000 across the three processions
- 2,000 in guard of honors or lining the routes
Military personnel from the UK and the Commonwealth marched through London while others lined the routes, providing guards of honor or undertaking other ceremonial duties.
The Queen, who was head of the armed forces and served as their commander-in-chief, had a close personal relationship with the military and they accompanied her on processions throughout the day.
At precisely 10:45 in the morning, London time, the funeral procession from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey began.Â
The Queen's coffin traveled via State Gun Carriage, which was not used since the funeral of British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, in 1965.
The gun carriage was pulled by 98 Royal Navy sailors and 40 Royal Navy sailors acting as brakes. The reason why the Royal Navy sailors were chosen to take care of the gun carriage during the procession was personal one to the Queen.
Her grandfather, King George V, her father, King George VI, and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh were all Royal Navy officers. And two of her sons - King Charles III and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, had served in the Royal Navy.
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| Procession from Westminster Hall of Westminster Abbey |
Most importantly, it signifies the Queen's personal status as a wife of the Admiral of the Fleet, the highest rank in the Royal Navy, and Lord High Admiral of the Royal Navy, the ceremonial head of the Royal Navy. Both positions were held by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh until his death in 2021.
The chief mourners or members of the Royal Family who walked behind the Queen's coffin during the two processions were the following:
- King Charles III - eldest son of the Queen
- The Princess Royal - only daughter of the Queen
- The Duke of York - second son of the Queen
- The Earl of Wessex - youngest child of the Queen
- The Prince of Wales - grandson of the Queen
- The Duke of Sussex - grandson of the Queen
- Mr. Peter Phillips - grandson of the Queen
- The 2nd Earl of Snowdon - nephew of the Queen
- The Duke of Gloucester - first cousin of the Queen
- Vice Admiral Tim Laurence - son-in-law of the Queen
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| Members of the British Royal Family who walked behind the Queen's coffin |
The church service at Westminster Abbey was solemn and somber, which made the public emotional, most of those who watched the procession shed tears.Â
Approximately 2,000 guests filled the Abbey. Guests consisted of World Leaders, foreign royals, diplomatic personnel, extended members of the British royal family, friends, representatives of different organizations, and personalities associated with the patronages of the Queen.
Reigning Crown Heads in Europe attended except Liechtenstein. Their sitting arrangement was based on the length of their reign. The current longest monarch in Europe today, Queen Margrethe II, seated in front with her son and heir, Crown Prince Frederik.
Reigning Crown Heads of Europe who attended the funeral:
- Belgium - King Philippe and Queen Mathilde
- Denmark - Queen Margrethe II and Crown Prince Frederik
- Luxembourg - Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa
- Monaco - Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene
- Norway - King Harald V of Norway
- Spain - King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia
- Sweden - King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia
- The Netherlands - King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima
- Former King of Spain, Juan Carlos and his wife, Queen Sofia
- Former Queen of the Netherlands, Princess Beatrix of Orange
- Anne-Marie, former Queen Consort of Greece
- Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and his wife, Marie-Chantal
- Crown Princess Margarita of Romania and her husband, Prince Radu
- Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia
- Bahrain - King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa
- Bhutan - King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema
- Japan - Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako
- Jordan - King Abdullah II, Queen Rania, and Crown Prince Hussein
- Lesotho - King of Letsie III
- Oman - Sultan Haitham bin Tariq
- Qatar - Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al ThaniÂ
- UAE - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and Vice President of UAE
- Princess Haya of Jordan (divorced wife of Al Maktoum)
- US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife
- French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Birgitte
- President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan of Turkey
- President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil and his wife
- Wang Qishan, Vice President of People's Republic of China
- Yoon Suk-yeol, President of South Korea
- European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen
- European Council head, Charles Michel
- Frank-Walter Steinmeierm, President of Germany
- Sergio Mattarella of Italy
- Isaac Herzog of Israel
- Micheál Martin, President of Ireland
- Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese
- Other Commonwealth Ministers and Presidents
A minute of silence was observed following the service at Westminster Abbey, followed by the singing of national anthem, lyrics now changed to God Save the King.Â
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Queen Consort Camilla, Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and the Duchess of Sussex |
Then the Queen's coffin was carried by the Grenadier Guards outside the Abbey and put back at the gun carriage for her final journey to Windsor. leaving London for good.
The Second Procession
After the service at Westminster Abbey, the Queen's coffin was placed again into the gun carriage, pulled once more by the Royal Navy Sailors, and began their long walk to central London, passing The Mall where thousands of people gather annually for Trooping the Colors ceremony to celebrate her birthday, and Buckingham Palace, her London home for the past 80 years.
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| The Quee's cortege passed The Mall and unto Buckingham Palace |
It was a somber moment as staff and workers of Buckingham Palace lined up on the palace's street to pay their last respects to their long-time employer, the Queen. We've seen the Queen's palace chef and kitchen staff, among those who stood in the line.
Thousands of mourners filled each side of the street, and stood in silence under the bright sunshine, watching the funeral cortege. It was a highly emotional sight for most of Britons who were known the Queen as their only monarch for more than half a century.
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| The Queen's coffin loaded to the State Hearse for their road journey to Windsor |
The Queen's cortege then journeyed to the Wellington Arch, where the coffin was transferred to the State Hearse for the road journey to Windsor.Â
It was a moving moment as the Queen returned to her beloved Windsor Castle for the last time. She left Windsor Castle on July 21, 2022, for her summer break in Balmoral estate.
Windsor Castle has endeared to the Queen since childhood. It was there that she took shelter with her sister, Princess Margaret, during World War II. It became her favorite weekend home when she became a Queen.
In 2020, when the pandemic began, she and Prince Philip moved to Windsor Castle for good. It was there that Prince Philip died peacefully on April 9, 2021.
Final Journey to beloved Windsor Castle
The live television coverage followed the State Hearse from Wellington Arc to Windsor, giving the global audience an opportunity to see the other side of London, and the natural beauty of Windsor Great Park.
The procession was escorted by the military personnel and members of the Queen's household, musicians, and prancing horses. The Queen's coffin was guarded by the Grenadier Guards.Â
Also accompanying the hearse were the King's Body Guards of the Honorable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, the Yeomen of the Guard, and the Royal Company of Archers.
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| Emma. the Queen's favorite horse she regularly ridden at Windsor Great Park, stood in silence as her coffin passed by As the Queen's coffin passed along the Windsor Great Park, where Her Majesty spent time riding horses, her favorite horse, Emma, accompanied by the groom, stood in silence. The Queen regularly took horseback riding with Emma at Windsor Great Park, despite her advanced age. She was last seen riding Emma early this year. |
From the castle's Quadrangle, the King and senior members of the Royal Family walked behind the cortege up to St George's Chapel.
Committal Service at St. George's Chapel
The Service was conducted by the Dean of Windsor, with prayers said by the Rector of Sandringham, the Minister of Crathie Kirk, and the Chaplain of Windsor Great Park. The Choir of St George’s Chapel sang during the Service.
Prior to the final Hymn, the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Scepter were removed from the Queen’s coffin and placed on the Altar.Â
At the end of the final Hymn, King Charles placed the Queen's Company Camp Color of the Grenadier Guards on Her Majesty’s Coffin. At the same time, The Lord Chamberlain "broke" his Wand of Office, placing it on the Coffin. The Lord Chamberlain is the head of the Queen's Household.
As Her Majesty's coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault, the Dean of Windsor read Psalm and the Commendation before the Garter King of Arms pronounced Her Majesty’s styles and titles.Â
The Sovereign’s Piper played a Lament and The Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced the Blessing. The National Anthem, God Save the King, was performed at the conclusion of the Service.
The Queen's coffin was lowered to the Royal Crypt. At 7:30 (no live broadcast) the private burial took place conducted by the Dean of Windsor.Â
Prince Philip's coffin was removed from the Royal Crypt, and together with the Queen's coffin, placed side by side at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, just beside St. George's Chapel.
It was the grandest funeral as well as royal event, full of pomp and pageantry, we have seen in recent memory. And for the much revered Queen who had devoted her entire life to the monarchy, she deserved no less.
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| Together again. This photo was taken in July 1947 to mark Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip's engagement. From left: Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth, King George VI, and Princess Margaret. On September 19, they were reunited for good at King George VI Memorial Chapel |
Such an inspiring life of dedicated service, an epitome of royal duties. In April 1947, when she turned 21, she declared that she will dedicate her life, may it be short or long, to the life of service. A promise well-kept.
The Royal Family social media accounts shared the above photo of the Queen with a caption, ‘May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.’ In loving memory of Her Majesty The Queen. 1926 - 2022.
May Her Majesty rest in eternal peace and in God's embrace. Her legacy will never be forgotten. We're glad she and her beloved Philip are now together eternally.
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